“East Fork is able to send our resources to assist the forest service, being reimbursed for our expenses while our personnel gather experience to better protect us locally,” he said. “We are still able to provide the same level of protection to our community when we do these mutual aid responses.”

Happy Camp is burning south of Highway 96 not far from the Oregon state line.

The fire has been burning since lightning set it on Aug. 11 and is 15 percent contained. It has so far cost $36 million to fight. More than 2,700 firefighters, including 77 hand crews are working on the complex.